Extended Definition: Dependence
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, dependence is a state defined as reliance on, or a loss of control to, something or someone other than oneself. There are many types of dependence, most with the evident ability to destroy lives. There are, however, three forms of dependence with seemingly innocuous yet in actuality toxic aspects: physical dependence, emotional dependence, and behavioural dependence.
To begin, physical dependence occurs when ones body adapts to a particular substance until it not only needs more of it to have the same effect, but also exhibits specific physical symptoms if the substance is abruptly ceased. A mild example of physical dependence is the resulting headache or irritability if ones scheduled dose of caffeine is missed. Physical dependence can become dangerous when involving drugs, prescription or otherwise. If one uses painkillers frequently, one might eventually find themselves taking a double or triple dose simply to experience the same pain management they previously received from a smaller dose. Physical dependence is not the same as a physical addiction, though the line between can be difficult to distinguish. Ones body can be dependent on a substance and experience symptoms of withdrawal, without one becoming addicted to it. Dependence can as well be a state of ones emotional well being. When one is not fully responsible for their own emotional state, one is dependent upon others to define their own worth. Such emotional dependence can be found in any type of relationship: platonic, familial, romantic, or professional. It can seem as harmless as letting oneself drift with the waves; what can be so bad about simply wanting to be liked? However, it can become as all-consuming as a turbulent ocean and just as terrifying. Imagine being unable to stop the opinions and needs of others from washing over you, filling your mouth every time you consider voicing your own. Imagine a life in constant fear that without outside approval, one will be abandoned to drown in the vast blue abyss. Lastly, a form of dependence that is distinctly similar to emotional dependence due to both forms entailing a lack of properly handling ones emotions, is behavioural dependence. The difference begins with what one allows to control them. Whereas emotional dependence is looking to others for a sense of emotional stability, behavioural dependence is a loss of control to emotionally satisfying behaviours. In the article Introduction to Behavioural Addictions published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse by four behavioural scientists, it is perhaps best summarized as the failure to resist an impulse, drive, or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the person or to others. In other words, an inability to stop repeatedly engaging in a specific activity despite the negative consequences it causes in ones life and within oneself.
The above types of dependence can often appear to be generally benign at first glance, but can quickly develop into an unhealthy and out of control lifestyle, requiring intervention and even treatment.
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English 151: Extended Definition Assignment
Context: Before getting into the organization of the THREE paragraphs for the Extended Definition Assignment, the following are the assignment requirements:
ONE: Assignment Value, Formatting Requirements, Objective:
Assignment Value: 20 points
Format: 12 font/ Times New Roman/ Ariel/ double-spaced/ WORD DOCUMENT 30KB or under
Title: 14 sized Font
Example of Title Format: Extended Definition: Name of term being defined
Word Count: 400-500 (minimum and maximum)
Number of Paragraphs: Three in Total: Introduction, Body Paragraph, Conclusion
Topic Sentences: Three Different Approaches to Topic Sentences
Objective: to define one word using examples that include a choice of figurative language and/or rhetorical appeal strategies
Topic choices: your own word of choice; a word from choices listed below; a word from lectures that contain additional word choices
ONE: The Introductory Paragraph:
FIRST: An Introductory Paragraph:
Requirement:
A 2-4 sentence introduction containing the correct rhetorical hook and mapping thesis statement.
This first paragraph builds on the skills we have been developing in the previous assignments.
In short, this assignment requires an introductory paragraph of 2-4 sentences consisting of requirements we will outline in the lectures and examples of this unit.
We will focus here on the two-sentence introduction; the student example at the end of this module shows how a maximum of one or two additional sentences can be correctly added to the structure outlined here, if necessary.
SECOND: Introduction Paragraph with Formal Definition:
Explanation:
A definition tells what a word means.
A formal definition, like what you would see in a dictionary, has three parts: first, the word to be defined, second the general class (or part of speech) to which it belongs, and third a general definition (known as differentiation) written in your own words that captures the meaning of the word simply, clearly, and specifically.
THIRD: Correct Basic Schematic for the Introduction:
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the word plus the class plus the differentiation/general definition (this general definition at the end of the sentence defines the word you have chosen to define by using paraphrase only, not quotation).
FOURTH: Example of the Basic Schematic for the Rhetorical Hook to Start the Introduction:
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), love (term) which is a mass noun (class), is generally defined as an experience that involves shared feelings of deep affection (no quotation here I have paraphrased for a simple, general differentiation/definition).
FIFTH: Explanation of the Above Example:
Explanation:
The sentence used above is the correct example of the REQUIRED rhetorical hook sentence of the introduction.
You will see more examples over the next three weeks.
Based on this, the formal definition, as in the above example, is the place to begin the introductory paragraph; after this rhetorical hook sentence, you will transition into a more specifically defined mapping thesis statement (as demonstrated next).
TWO: Sentence Two of the Introduction Transitions into the Mapping Thesis:
FIRST: Mapping Thesis Statement:
Context:
The mapping thesis statement is required.
You can use any of the previous examples from the earlier Process Paragraph Assignment as the formula.
Here, however, instead of three listed steps, the mapping thesis for the Extended Definition Assignment will define your choice of three logical types, kinds, or categories to define the word you have chosen for the assignment.
SECOND: Transition from Rhetorical Hook to Mapping Thesis:
Here is the example of the second sentence of the Introduction:
While the word love can be defined broadly (or generally - you decide on the wording here) in such terms (or words you decide), it is possible to further narrow love into three (and then choose the applicable term like categories, types, kinds): after the colon I would then specifically define the three categories, types or kinds (you choose, but be consistent throughout the assignment).
The mapping thesis is the final sentence of the introduction. The introductory paragraph, in other words, ends with the mapping thesis.
Examples are provided in the lectures and I will also, in the student example, show you how you can add one or two extra sentences if needed.
For now, we have outlined the correct two sentence approach to the introduction.
THREE: The Body Paragraph: Only One Body Paragraph with Three Parts (like the Process Assignment with Three Steps)
FIRST: The Body Paragraph has Some Specific Requirements:
Context: You will see explanations and examples of the following points over the next three weeks:
Requirement One:
THREE different approaches to topic sentences that each define one of the kinds, categories, or types (as noted above, based on your choice of term to be used consistently in the thesis and topic sentences; for example, kinds).
Requirement Two:
TWO different Examples introduced and defined below each topic sentence to illustrate and therefore further define the kind category or type defined in each topic sentence.
Requirement Three:
The approach to the TWO EXAMPLES from everyday life located below each topic sentence must be different: for instance: little example/big example; ordinary example/extraordinary example; positive example/negative example; common example/uncommon example; old example/new example...and so on. Just ensure you are using two different examples.
Requirement Four:
Overall, at least two instances of figurative language and/or rhetorical appeals used at two different points in the body paragraph to promote connection to audience (annotated student examples in the lectures will make this clear).
These will appear in at least two of the six overall examples in the body paragraph.
The body paragraph must contain, overall, two examples of figurative and/or rhetorical appeals that could include simile, metaphor, analogy to generate comparison/contrast to something else, anecdote or narration, example, quotation, allusion, personification, pathos, ethos, and so on.
Again, the requirement is that a minimum of two different methods are employed at two different points overall in the body paragraph.
I would leave this until after the prewriting and basic organization has been completed. The student examples provided will also help.
SECOND: Ensuring Body Paragraph Unity, Coherence, Logic, and Flow
Context: You will see explanations and examples of the following points over the next three weeks; you do, however, have experience with transitions and repetition from the previous assignment.
Requirement One: Transitions and repetition of key words are required here just as they were in the other assignments we have completed.
Requirement Two: Transitions: a choice from the following transitions will work: first, second, third/ for example, for instance, as a result/ in addition/ in particular/ like, unlike/ one characteristicanother characteristic/ one wayanother way/ specifically/ a first kinda second kind.
Requirement Three: Repetition of key words used consistently throughout the body paragraph (you will see examples of this).
Requirement Four: looking back to look forward at the beginning of sentences should be used at different points in the body paragraph similar to the Directional Process Assignment (you will also see examples of this as well).
THIRD: The Basic Structure of the Body Paragraph
Context:
The body paragraph follows the same general structure we have used for the previous assignments.
That means the body paragraph will have THREE topic sentences and each topic sentence will be developed (in this case) with TWO different examples; the examples are where the figurative language/rhetorical appeals will be used.
More detail will be provided in the lectures and examples, but here is the basic schematic of the body paragraph structure (this should look familiar to the structure used in the other assignments):
Topic Sentence:
Transitional word to start a sequence of parallel transitions in the paragraph (ex. To begin,).
A fully developed topic sentence of standalone quality that introduces and defines the first category (we will use category for our example). You will be provided with examples.
Required: Example One: One example that helps define the first category (could use a rhetorical appeal or figurative language in this example).
Required: Example Two: Another different example that helps define the first category (could use a rhetorical appeal or figurative language in this example).
Transition/Topic Sentence:
Transitional word or repetition as developed in the previous assignment.
A fully developed topic sentence of standalone quality that introduces and defines the second category.
A different method of writing the topic sentence from the first topic sentence (could be two sentences for example - one sentence that introduces the second category and a second sentence that defines the second category). You will be provided with examples.
Required: Example One: An example that helps define the second category (could use a rhetorical appeal or figurative language in this example).
Required: Example Two: Another different example that helps define the second category (could use a rhetorical appeal or figurative language in this example).
Transition/Topic Sentence:
Transitional word or repetition as developed in the previous assignment. A fully developed topic sentence of standalone quality that introduces and defines the third category.
A third method of writing the topic sentence different from the previous two.
Required: Example One: An example that helps define the third category (could use a rhetorical appeal or figurative language in this example).
Required: Example Two: Another different example that helps define the third category (could use a rhetorical appeal or figurative language in this example)
As Noted Above:
In addition to using TWO EXAMPLES to develop below each topic sentence, the assignment requires at least TWO EXAMPLES of Figurative language or rhetorical appeals be used in the body paragraph such as personification, metaphor, simile, allusion, pathos, ethos (to offer a few examples).
You will see examples of how to include figurative language and/or rhetorical appeals as rhetorical strategy to connect with audience in the coming weeks.
In short, overall, at least two examples of figurative language and/or rhetorical appeals like logos, ethos, and pathos, will necessarily be present in the writing.
FOUR: The Concluding Paragraph:
Context: The concluding paragraph follows the same rhetorical structure as found in the previous assignments. It should closely (one-two sentences in this case required) mirror the size of the introduction and should create circularity. You will see explanations and examples of the following points over the next three weeks:
Requirement One: A concluding paragraph is required
Requirement Two: the concluding paragraph should closely mirror the size of the introductory paragraph: one two sentences required
Requirement Three: The concluding paragraph should not include In conclusion, or To conclude,
Requirement Four: The concluding paragraph should begin with an appropriate transition: for example: Therefore, Thus, As such,
Requirement Five: Remember: The concluding paragraph should be one-two sentences
Requirement Six: The concluding paragraph should answer these two questions:
First: What have I proven? (Or, if you prefer) What have I shown? Examples: Therefore, as you can see by the above examples Thus, for these reasons it is clear that
Second: Overall, why does what you have shown through the definitions matter?
FIVE: Suggestions and Prompts:
Please Note: you may use a word from this list, one of the words I provide in the lectures as further ideas, or a word of your own.
1. Use a term that belongs to an area of study. For instance, from a psychology course you could define repression or rejection and provide three different types.
2. Define a custom or concept in three parts unique to your ethnic heritage so someone who does not share your heritage will understand it.
3. Define peer pressure in three parts (kinds, categories, types) to help your reader understand what a potent force it is.
4. Define three different types of stereotype to help your reader recognize the types of stereotypes and their dangers.
5. Define three kinds of censorship.
6. Three different types of family.
7. Define something not well understood, such as three different kinds of creativity.
8. Three ways you could define family.
9. Marriage: the term changes by definition or culture.
10. What three points characterize courage? Are there different kinds of courage?
11. Three types of a negative quality such as envy, dishonesty, or jealousy.
12. Three different types of a social concept such as equality, opportunity, discrimination.
13. Three different subgenres of a type of music
14. Three different kinds of criticism.
15. Three different kinds of humor.
16. Three different kinds of pride.
17. Three different types of conflict.
18. Three different kinds of growth.
19. Three different types of competition.
20. Three different forms of justice.
Please Note:
Topic research, logical organization, and development strategies can be time consuming. Please refer to the additional lectures and materials to get the assignment underway.
SIX: A Gentle Reminder about Plagiarism:
Remember that any form of plagiarism brings serious academic consequences.
For the Extended Definition Assignment, plagiarism is easy to identify and to trace; please do not be tempted.
A Zero on this assignment due to an example of plagiarism mathematically means a failing grade for the course.
Good Luck on the assignment!
Extended Definition Pre-Writing: Research and the Preliminary Organization of Information
Recommendation: Please review the Extended Definition Assignment outline before moving through this document.
Context: This document is intended to help with getting the Extended Definition Assignment started. It is important that the previous assignment document is read and understood before moving on to the steps outlined here for beginning the process to defining a term through research and pre-writing. Remember, too, that you can always use one of the word choice prompts from the assignment outline if you like.
ONE: Finding a Word to Define
First: Brainstorm for Multiple Word Choice: If you dont want to use one of the words from the Extended Definition Assignment Outline, you can determine your own word or use one from the list below. Generally speaking, to choose a word to define, it is best to come up with a list of at least three or four words. These will be the words that you will carry over to your research. Give yourself a set amount of time to complete this step but do this before you begin your investigating to make your final decision.
Second: Kind of Word: You are not looking for interesting words, complex words, words that no one has ever heard of before none of these. You are looking for a simple noun or verb to define.
Third: Complexity and Simplicity: these two words have generally interesting philosophical possibilities and more narrow but interesting applications to the Extended Definition Assignment: a complex word often takes more to define and often brings along increased difficulties, insofar as examples are concerned. A complex word also has implicit connotations that imply it will be more interesting than a comparatively simple word. So, the expectations of the comparatively complex word are usually higher. In other words, it is often a problem defining, and the definitions often fail to match the expectations. Not necessarily a good strategy.
A simple word, conversely, is usually easier to define in three parts, allows for greater access to examples, and can, if written well and examples are well-chosen, easily exceed expectations that the word at first seems to imply. Indeed, it is often more surprising to see the complexities hidden in something simple, than reducing the complexity of something complex to the simple.
Fourth: Word Ideas: And just because you are here, I will offer a few extra suggestions that students have used with comparative success in the past to illustrate this point of simplicity over complexity:
Example: Three kinds of justice
Example: Three levels of sin
Example: Three levels of love
Example: Three types of hate
Example: Three kinds of tragedy
Example: Three kinds of intelligence
Example: Three kinds of health
Example: Three kinds of magic
Example: Three types of motivation
Example: Three kinds of wealth
Example: Three kinds of revolution
Note: These are all good topics and there are many ways of breaking them into three categories, types, or kinds (again, you decide on the word and then use the word consistently in your extended definition). Feel free to use one of these if one of them appeals to you or if you find, upon some research, that you are interested in the ways one of the words can be defined in three parts. You can also use any of the examples from the assignment outline or, as noted, determine the word you want to define on your own.
Two: Do an Internet Search
First: Do a Preliminary Wiki Search: Look up the three or four words you have chosen on Wikipedia; although Wikipedia is not an academic source (not even close), it does sometimes provide categories, for example, of a word, and can sometimes indicate the way the word can be divided up into parts. Using Wikipedia to figure out how to group the examples is a good strategy. Doing the assignment through Wikipedia is not.
Second: Do a Google Search: Although Wiki is a good preliminary indicator of ways a word can be divided into three, and sometimes a good source of ideas and information, it is best to do a separate search as well, just to see what other categories or kinds or types you might come up with.
Third: Keying in the Search Information: There are a number of ways of doing this step, but I might look up three kinds of love, or three kinds of strength or three kinds of punk rock. This approach can often bear different results, and less often just circles you back to Wikipedia.
Please Note: A word can have more than three kinds, categories, or types; what matters is that there are actually at least three, and that the three work together logically.
THREE: Arrange the Three Kinds or Categories or Types
First: After you have found the word and three ways to group the word (for instance, the kinds), you need to determine the logical arrangement of the kinds. We did this for the process assignment by using chronological order. In other words, there should be a logical structure to the way the chosen word is being organized into three parts. It is important to do this before you begin any writing to ensure the word can be organized into a logical pattern.
For Example: If my word is strength I could arrange three kinds of strength as physical strength, intellectual strength, and moral strength those three equate to body, mind, soul.
For Example: If my topic is punk rock I could arrange three subgenres of punk rock, through time from oldest to newest: Anarcho punk, Hardcore punk, Skate punk.
For Example: If my word is love, I could use the classical ancient Greek arrangement of identifying the lowest, middle, and highest forms of love: Eros (lowest), Philia (middle), and Agape (highest).
In short: You need a logical pattern to the main kinds/types/categories.
FOUR: The Logical Arrangement of the Examples:
First: Once the word is decided and the three parts are organized based on a logical pattern, create the examples to further define the three different kinds. I would do this before I start my rough draft. The objective of the examples is to further define and illustrate the word you are defining. So, you want to make this part interesting and engaging. So, the examples, and they can be everyday examples, should be different.
Second: As you will see from the stronger student examples I will be providing, you can mostly use examples from everyday life; but of course, this entirely depends on the choice of word.
Third: Just like the choice of the types or categories or kinds, the examples also need to be connected, but different. This has been outlined in the Extended Definition Outline, and you will see how this can be done in the two strong student examples I provide (one this week, one next week); in other words, since each kind needs two examples, it is necessary that they be two different examples.
Example One: In the strong student example on Dependence included this week, the student organized dependence into three types of dependence: physical dependence, emotional dependence, and behavioral dependence. They are all different but connected.
Creating Two Examples for physical dependence: a mild example of physical dependence like caffeine addiction, and a (strong) dangerous example of physical dependence, which is addiction to drugs, prescription or otherwise. One example is weak and not bad, the other is stronger and more dangerous. So, two examples that illustrate the word differently.
(N.B. the student also uses a third example to define physical dependence by defining what it is not which is also a good strategy).
Example: The word wealth could be divided into three categories: monetary wealth, social wealth, and situational wealth.
Monetary wealth can be divided into two different examples: money in a bank account and the ownership of property (which represents capital and thus monetary wealth). These are two different examples that illustrate monetary wealth.
Example: If the word of choice were motivation, and one of the categories intrinsic motivation, that category could use examples like the soup kitchen volunteer who enjoys the time they give to the less fortunate, or a curious student who reads a book because it fills them with enlightening information. Two different examples.
Example: If the word choice is intelligence that word could be divided into analytical intelligence, practical intelligence, and creative intelligence.
Analytical intelligence could then be divided into two examples: an elevated example from academia is scientists such as Stephen Hawking or Albert Einstein who were known for analytical intelligence; a second example of analytical intelligence could just be a simple everyday example of learning to solve 2 + 2 or in contrast to the simple example, a more complex example like the critical thinking and analyzing required to put astronauts on the moon.
Once this preliminary organization has been done, then it is time to determine in which of the examples the figurative language and rhetorical appeals are going to occur. I have provided example sheets of choices, and as you will see from the annotated student examples next week, these strategies are the last to go into the assignment after this initial groundwork has been established. We will use the examples from next week to illustrate this final dimension to the Extended Definition Assignment.
English 151: Extended Definition Three Paragraph Format Sheet
Instructions: If you work better on paper, this format sheet is useful for determining order and the general organization of the examples.
Introductory Paragraph: Rhetorical strategy and mapping thesis (2-4 sentences minimum and maximum)
Rhetorical Hook Strategy: Defining the topic with three-part formal definition:
(Rhetorical hook)_____________________________(term)________(class) ________(paraphrased differentiation/definition) ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Optional additional context sentence/s (two maximum): _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Mapping Thesis (should contain transition and three types/ kinds /categories):
_________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph: Rhetorical Strategies for unity, coherence, flow:
Note: a minimum of two rhetorical devices/uses of figurative language must be included in the body paragraph; please see the document with Rhetorical Devices and Figurative Language that is included in this weeks information for further details and examples.
First approach to topic sentence: _____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Example One: ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Example Two: ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Second approach to topic sentence: ___________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Example One: ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Example Two: ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Third approach to topic sentence: _____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Example One: ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Example Two: ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding Paragraph (1-2 sentences/should mirror introduction):
Transition and what have I proven, and why does it matter?________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
